Elizabeth Koho Fisher

July 7, 1930 - April 14, 2013

Obituary

Elizabeth Ann Koho Fisher was born July 7, 1930. The daughter of the late Forrest Burks and Edna Mae Koho of Plainfield, Indiana, she was the first of their three children and was preceded in death by her brother, Bob and sister, Nancy Draffen. Elizabeth was a lifelong learner. After graduating from Indiana State University in 1952 she took jobs teaching, first in Booneville, Indiana and then in Logansport, Indiana. During the summers she traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to work on her Master’s degree in Library Science from Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. Even after receiving her Master’s degree she continued her...

Elizabeth Ann Koho Fisher was born July 7, 1930. The daughter of the late Forrest Burks and Edna Mae Koho of Plainfield, Indiana, she was the first of their three children and was preceded in death by her brother, Bob and sister, Nancy Draffen.

Elizabeth was a lifelong learner. After graduating from Indiana State University in 1952 she took jobs teaching, first in Booneville, Indiana and then in Logansport, Indiana. During the summers she traveled to Nashville, Tennessee to work on her Master’s degree in Library Science from Peabody College, Vanderbilt University. Even after receiving her Master’s degree she continued her pursuit of learning by participating in opportunities at the Bristol Road School of Preaching and Biblical Studies and attending classes at Lipscomb University’s Lifelong Learning Program.

In 1956 Elizabeth moved to Jackson, Michigan for a teaching job. It was there that she met John Fisher, the man she would spend the next 46 years with. During the thirteen years that John and Elizabeth lived in Jackson, she was respected and loved for her generosity, hospitality and caring spirit. Elizabeth was a committed volunteer at the Horton Road Church of Christ using her gifts of hospitality and entertaining to mentor and build relationships with her peers and younger women in the church.

Jackson was a happy and fruitful time for Elizabeth. Her son Brad was born in 1959 with Nancy following in 1961 and Mary Ann completing the family in 1968. In 1969, John and Elizabeth moved their family to Winans Lake in Brighton, Michigan. Elizabeth continued her volunteering and found ways to contribute to the community. She was an active volunteer leader for the
and the Associates of Rochester College serving as their President. Elizabeth taught 2-year olds at Brighton Church of Christ and as an Elder’s wife spent many hours visiting the sick and caring for the broken.

John and Elizabeth headed South in 1991 to be closer to their children, splitting their time between Brentwood, Tennessee and Pompano Beach, Florida. They established themselves in Brentwood and were active members of Brentwood Hills Church of Christ and volunteers at Disaster Relief.

Elizabeth loved her family and especially cherished her grandchildren: Forrest (24), Brittany (22), Hayley (20), Grant (18), Kelsey (16) and Vivian (7). Elizabeth loved being with them and is remembered for the time she spent reading books to them, teaching them to play tiddlywinks, having tea parties and eating peanut butter and dill pickle sandwiches.

The grandchildren have fond memories of being in Pompano Beach with their Grandma; swimming, playing pool, playing card games, and going to the beach. It was while they were in Pompano Beach that John’s health began to decline. Elizabeth became his primary caregiver, and in 2004 John won the race and went home to be with the Lord.

Elizabeth continued to divide her time between Pompano Beach and Brentwood pursuing her interests in the arts, music, reading and encouraging others. When her health began to decline she spent time living with Brad (Brentwood, TN), Nancy (Euharlee, GA) and Mary Ann (Collingswood, NJ) until she moved to Southerland Place in 2009.

Even though her memories were diminishing, the part of Elizabeth that was her essence never changed. She was gracious and kind and always looked for the positive in the situation or people. She modeled what it meant to be a loving daughter, wife, mother and friend. She valued family and treasured her immediate and extended family.

She left this earth to meet Jesus with Brad, Nancy and Mary Ann surrounding her. She was at peace because that’s how she lived her life, depending on her faith and Father to get her through whatever life brought. She lived the life she was created to live and leaves a legacy of love for God and his people.

The family will receive visitors at Woodlawn Funeral Home on Sunday, April 14, from 2-5 pm. and Monday 10-11:30 am. The funeral service is at 11:30 am on Monday in Woodlawn’s Dignity Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the
, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718; Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort, Inc., 410 Allied Drive, Nashville, TN 37211; or Rochester College, 800 W Avon Road, Rochester, MI 48307.